Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone. – Matthew 14:22-23 NIV

Dear Jesus, finding time to be alone, or apart from people and activity seems daunting, near impossible. But the time captured by Matthew when you retreated alone to pray took place right after feeding over 5,000 people and immediately before walking on water to the disciples caught in a storm. You sent the disciples and the crowds away and removed yourself to a place of solitude to pray. You made time in your packed schedule. As I look at my calendar for the days ahead, bring this passage to mind and impress upon me how time spent alone with you is more crucial than any meeting or appointment. Remind me to schedule my valuable resource of time accordingly. In your name, amen.

Spiritual discipline: practice silence and solitude